Breakout Stars of the 2012 Olympics

Missy Franklin

Age: 17
Event: Swimming (Women’s)
Hometown: Aurora, Colorado

Missy Franklin might be the Michael Phelps of 2012. Missy has a great chance to mirror the upstart success Phelps enjoyed eight years ago as she builds off her amazing five-medal (three gold) performance at the 2011 World Aquatics Championships. It’s anticipated that she will compete in up to six Olympic events this summer, so she could come away from London with a handful of them.

She has already had her share of media attention, being interviewed on the Today Show and having profiles written on her by various major outlets, but expect to see a lot more about her as the summer approaches. And presumptuous as it may be, there is a strong potential for this to be the first of three or more Olympics in which Missy Franklin dominates the pool.